Rock Hall, Kent county, Maryland

poQ\{ Hrall

J<6rit County,

jy\^\QW(\

-.■•.••• <• V V '

ROQK H/ILL LflNb firJnFROUEnENTC^

G. M. Sharp.

President.

J, L, Taylor,

Secretary.

Geo. M. Warfield. Fuller & Co..

TREASURER- f N3INEE.RS

PERRY Fuller.

Manager.

ROCK HnLL,

KENT COUNTY,

0x2

Office :

M^R YLnND.

LAW BUILDING

BALTIMORE, MD.

1

<-^-:.

■ ■' -■'■' -'1 ■■'■^^^^ ^^--''■'

PRCSS OF

GUGGENHEIMER, WEIL &. CO

BALTIMORE,

1 093

V^'

5o An6vv7er ihe T jbestions which naturally arise, as to

: :9

WHERE IS ROCK HALL . .

» • - HOW TO REACH IT . . .

WHAT ARE ITS ADVANTAGES
HE SUBMIT THE FOLLOIVING :

Rock Hall is situated on the "Eastern Shore" of the Chesapeake bay, near the mouth of
the Chester river, about eighteen miles due east of the city of Baltimore.

To reach Rock Hall by water you board one of the steamers of the Chester River Steam-
boat Company, at their pier No. 7 Light street, Baltimore, and steam down the Patapsco river
between the ships of all nations, passing the V. S. military reservation (Fort McHenry) on
your right, and the great industry of Steelton on your left. Quaint old Fort Carroll will be
passed just before reaching the historic spot. North Point, at the mouth of the river. Then
due east across the bay, between the lights on Man-of-war Shoals and Seven-foot Knoll, until
the famous Swan Point Oyster Bar is reached, which you round, and drop anchor in the best and
most secure harbor on the Eastern Shore— about 1 hour and 40 minutes from Baltimore.

In a few months Rock Hall will be the terminus of the Baltimore & Delaware Bay R. R.,
which is completed to Chestertown. only twelve miles distant, and has daily trains running

THE LANDING

between Clayton (which is on the great Pennsylvania system) and Chestertown. When this is
finished Rock Hall will be the natural outlet for th.e entire Eastern Shore, and with a fast express
boat across the bay passengers and freight from all points on the Eastern Shore will arrive in
Baltimore from one to four hours sooner than by the present system.

The extension of the Baltimore & Eastern Shore R. R. from Easton to Chestertown (by the
way of Centreville), connecting with the road at Rock Hall, will add greatly to both the
passenger and freight traffic. The advantages of the harbor at Reck Hall were known to our
fc)refathers, for during the last century and the early part of this, luitil the event of railroads,
it was the suitable harbor for the Eastern Shore. Washington in his diary speaks of s])ending
the night at Rock Hall, on his way from the North to Annapolis to resign his commission as
Commander-in-Chief of our armies, and taking passage on a packet-boat which made regular
trips between the two points.

® ® ® i'»J^Vi 0 ® ®

KtSIDENCE OF WALTER SKERWIN. ESQ. ROCK HALL.

I^oct EhW {5 ^ Summer ^^ He^IlK I(esorL

POPULAR FAVOR WILL FOLLOW
PUBLIC NOTICF. ....

The Eastern Shore of Maryland undoulitedly possesses many climatic advantages. In the
lower peninsular the temperature during the winter is comparatively mild and the atmosphere
remarkably clear and bracing. Indeed it would seem that Mother Nature had predestined this
particular locality as a winter resort, but while the intentions of Mother Nature may be excel-
lent something more is necessary before the place, with its countless advantages, can rise to the
position to which nature may have designed it. It must first be brought into public notice, and
popular favor will soon follow.

HOW C.\NNES .\ND MENTONE BECAME KNOWN.

The climate of Cannes, the renowned winter resort in the south of France, is no finer now
than it was before Lord Brougham accidently visited it a few years ago. built a house there and
brought the place into notice. The patronage of Biarritz, by the Emperor Napoleon III and the
Empress caused the place to grow apace, hotels and villas being built all along the cliff, and.

towards the close of his reign, it was beyond all question the most brilliant seaside resort in

^'"'rTs worthy of note that the peninsular of Maryland possesses extraordinary advantages
as a health station. It is one of the few places that offers to one class of invalids the attraction
of a comparativelv mild and moderately dry climate in winter, and to another class excellent
sea-bathing in summer. There is no reason, therefore, why, if properly aided by art. it should
not be crowded with strangers during both the winter and summer seasons. The watering
places in the .south of England, though much inferior in point of climate to the Eastern Shore
of Maryland, are resorted to all the year round; but the class of patients visiting them during
the win'ter season is a very different one from that which is found at them in the summer.

A MODKKATK SIMMI.K CI.IMATK.

It is generally supposed that the climate of the peninsular is intolerably hot in midsummer,
but this is an assumption which is not justified by the facts. The heat of summer ,s not by
any means oppressive; on the contrary, the temperature is so modified by the south and south-
east winds, passing over large volumes of salt water, that the extremes of temperature are
nothing like so great as at many mountain resorts where the thermometer wdl freque.Uly
register over "bloodheaf at mid-day and but little above -free/.ing" at night. The mornings
and evenings on the E,astern Shore are usually cool and charming, during most of the summer,

f'T^*. -^

^■■IHl^HKv

1

1-

r

*■ ^■. •-'• ''^^^r-v' ..''v>..-jid

i-

1

(l^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^lBi^ft^^^^^^Mfl

TAVERN CREEK.

and no one who has not visited the locality at that season can form a notion of how enjoyable
the climate really is. The richness of the verdure and the luxuriance of the vegetation mark
it as a spot rich in climatic.

The Maryland State IJoard of Health reports that, ''The J'laslern Shore of Maryland is the
healthiest part of the coast from Maine to Florida." Dr. Chancellor, in an article published in
the great medical journal, the Tiniis and Kcxis/ii; September 17, 1S92 (which letter will be
found in full in appendix), writes: "'That the jicninsular of Maryland, known as the l{astern
Shore, a large area of which is really a few feet above the sea level, furnishes one of the best
atmospheres to persons suffering with pulmonary affection and liay fever to be found in the
world."

K

'?

The Rock Hall Land and Improvement Company :

Several gentlemen, realizing the climatic and natural advantages possessed b}- the Eastern
Shore, organized this companj' for the purpose of helping nature and putting some of this prop-
erty on the market. Rock Hall, Kent county, was selected as their seat of operations for the
following reasons:

Its proxiinity to all the ,i^riat Enstirn centres of population.

Its accessibility.

Its healthfulness.

Because it had the l>est and nearest harbor to Baltimore on the east shore of the Ches-
apeake Bay.

On account of its virgin forest.

Its beach for bathing is unsurpassed.

Because the natural oyster beds give work to hundreds.

The fishing industry is large.

It is the centre of the great fruit and vegetable district.

Hecause of its great natural beauty and picturesqueness.

Because of the sport afforded in duck-sfiooting and fishing.

4

5
6

7
,S

9

10

I 1

A STREET SCENE-ROCK HALL.

The company owns 175 acres of land in the centre of a peninsula formed by Swann and
Rock Hall creeks, which is partly covered by virgin forest. This gives shade combined with
the water, which produces both a novel and beautiful effect. All these points have been used
to an advantage by the landscape engineers who subdivided the property.

Streets. — All streets are from 60 to 100 feet wide, with 12 to 25 feet parkings, the road-
ways of which are graded with special reference to drainage and will shortly be shelled, making
a smooth, noiseless street.

W'ALKS. — The walks are from 12 to 25 feet wide, with a footway from j; to 5 feet wide,
leaving a large parking on both sides of the walk.

Sewerage. — A scientific system of sewerage will be constructed in the best manner
throughout the whole property, having connections for each lot.

Water Srppi.v. — The purest water will be obtained by driving artesian wells deep down
into the ground. These wells will be connected with a pipe system which will distribute the
water over the property for domestic and fire purposes.

Trees. — All the trees planted by the company have been selected by scientific l:)otanists,
and planted along the parkings or streets to give both shade and picturesque effect.

Lots. — The standard lot is from 50 to 150 feet to a 20-foot alley, (which is twice the size of
an average city lot), while many run as large as 100 x 250 feet, which, wnth the large parking

•^

-^^*^:-7i.i III '^^'

-fj'— 1 A^

WASHINGTON INN -ROCK HALL.

given free by the company, will insure an abundance of light and air. The street plan makes
the number of corner lots unusually large.

The Hotel. — The company is building a modern hotel with all conveniences, furnished
throughout with new and artistic furniture, which will be run under skillful management at a
moderate cost.

The hotel is near the shore and close to a large grove of magnificent shade trees, which
form the park.

The Shore — Which dame nature has left a perfect one for bathing, has been fitted up in a
beautiful manner; it being entirely free from all the dreaded undertow of the Atlantic. The
smallest child or weakest invalid can here enjoy all the pleasures of salt water bathing without
any of its dangers.

Boating.— The company has arranged that a number of safe sailing and row boats, with
trained crews, will always be on hand to take parties fishing, crabbing, or picnicing to the many
safe and romantic spots near the hotel.

Fishing. — The fishing is unsurpassed, and we think no better recommendation need be
given than the statement that many of the native inhabitants make good livings for themselves
and families with the hook-and-line.

WESLEY CHAPEL,

Ckabbing. — From early summer until late in the fall crabs abound in large quantities, the
soft-shell and deviled being standard dishes instead of delicacies.

Game. — Within easy access of the hotel there are many excellent ducking shores, and
quail and small game are plentiful in the surrounding country.

Drives and Rides. — Nowhere in the proximity of large cities can one allow his family
to drive with such ease of mind. The absence of rough and rugged hills, and the dreaded
'"trolley," combined with good roads and many points of interest to visit, make driving and
riding a prolonged pleasure. A good livery stable will be run in connection with the hotel.

Churches — St. Paul's Episcopal Church is just a pleasant driving distance and it is worth
a visit to the county to see it. Built in the 17th century, surrounded by magnificent oaks, it
makes a picture which pen cannot describe. Wesley Chapel, the Methodist church, while not
so old, is a beautiful structure with well-kept grounds. There are also Catholic, Baptist and
Seven-Day Adventists churches and chapels in the neighborhood.

Fri'it. — Rock Hall is the centre of the foremost Eastern Shore fruit district, more peaches
being .shipped via the Chester river lioats than by any other lines plying between the Eastern
.Shore and Baltimore.

Ill conclusion, we quote from Dr. Chancellor's book on the East Shore of Maryland some of
the reasons \ou should come to Rock Hall for a home, or for the summer:

Because you will live in a temperature pleasantly warm for eight months in the year; (2) in
an air moderately dry, rich in oxj-gen. of excessive purity and constantly in motion: (3) in a
large number of clear, sunn}' days and comparatively few days of rain or fog; (4) in a rich and
luxuriant vegetation, flourishing as in a subtropical climate: (5) in the possibility of almost
daily promenades and drives in the open air; (6) in its unrivalled dietetics and cuisine: and (7)
finally, in its proximity to the great centres of population.

If you wish to visit Rock Hall, or learn further about its advantages, call at the company's
office, L.\w Biii.DiNG, B.M.Ti.MORK. We will always be glad and willing to take you over and
furnish information. Send for illustrated pamphlet and map.

Address ail coniniunicatiou.s to

Pi:kkV I'TI.LI'R. Manaogk

Rock Ham. Land and iMrKovK.MiCNT Companv.

I, AW Btll.DINC,,

Bai.timoki;, Ml).

RESIDENCE OF ,DR A. P. SHARP-ROCK HALL.

THH EASTHRX SHORE OF MAKVLAXI) AS A HHALIH KHSOKT FOR CONSUMPTIVES

By C. W. chancellor. M.D., Secretary of the Maryland State Board of Health.

LORD HACON was the first to recommend elevated situations
as being conducive to health, owing, as he thought, to the
' purity of the air in such situations. lu support of this
theory he cites the rising grounds of Arcadia and .ICtolia. and
other parts of Crirecc. whcrt the inhabitants are reported to
have lived long. The celebrated f'allas also informs us that
in a province of Russia he saw many old people in the elevated
districts, whereas in the plains of that very neighborhood they
were tuit distinguishc<l for longevity.

In the face of many facts to the contrary, it is quite evident
that Lord Hacon's theory has no substantial foundation, at
least so far as the prevalence of consuni]>tion is concerned.
In point of health certain low lands of Italy were superior to
either the mountains of C.reece or the elevated districts of
Russia, for in the 76th ycarof the Christian era. when a census
<»fthe people was made, there were 265 persons bevond 100
yearsof age in that part of Italy which lies between the I'o
and the Ai>penines. Sir James Clark says, that consumption
is not a common disease in either I'isa "or Venice, but it fre-
quently exists in the elevated districts of the country.

Top<»graphical peculiarities do not always account for the
]>redomiuent characteristics of climate, nor convey to the
mind of the casual observer a correct appreciation" of their
sanitary influence. Thus it might be rationally inferred, Irom
the marshy aspect which surrountls the city of Venice that
intermittent fever and bronchial affections would be the
prominent diseases of the place, whereas it is. in truth, the
resort of such as have el.sewhere imbibed the pernicious

poison of these disorders. Dr. Scoresby Jackson says. "In the
early stages of consumption and in some chronic bronchial
aft'ections Venice may be recommentled."

The Kirgis Steppes, of Asia, which is below the level of the
sea. enjoys almost complete immunity from consumption:
and from'statistics furnished by a number of intelligent physi-
cians and other persons, it is safe to assert that the peninsular
of Maryland, known as the "Kastern Shore," a large area of
which fs only a few feet above the sea level, furnishes one of
the grandest atmospheres for persons suffering with pulmon-
ary affections to be found in the world Many physicians
)>racticing in this section of the State testify that consumption
IS an exceedingly rare disease among the native residents, and
that in all forms' of bronchial affections the climate is very
generally beneficial, especially in cases where there jirevails
preat irritability of the bronchial mucous membrane. Nothing
IS more common than to meet with bronchial diseases which,
after having been benefitted by a short residence on the East-
ern Shore, are aggravated by a visit to the high lands, and
again relieved by a return to "this localitv. In incipient con-
sumption the Eastern Shore of .Maryland may be considered
the most favorable i>lace of residence in .\merica.

.\fter all. however, it is with climates as with other things-
trustworthy evidence as to what they have acct>mplishca is
the most valuable. In this connection I quote from tlie
opinions of meilical practitioners and others of extensive
experience residing on the peninsular.

THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND AS A HEALTH RESORT FOR CONSUMPTIVES.

Dk. Davidson says : "Consumption, either hereditary or
ac(iuired. is comparatively rare on the peninsular among the
native population, and while many have come here from
northern latitudes with this disease in various stapes of de-
velopment, we do not know of a case that was not promptly
ameliorated by the change, and in many cases the most
remarkable cures have been effected in persons who were
pronounced hopelessly ill."

Dr. a. p. Shaki'. of Rock Hill, Kent county. Md , writes:
"Most of the inliabitants of this neighborhood are engaged in
the oyster and fishing business, which compels exposure to
all kinds of weather, and I am surprised to find that both
young and old are entirely free from the usual coughs and the
pulnionarj' complaints so common in other places. During
my residence of over twenty years here I have never seen or
heard of a single case of consumption among the rising popu-
lation, and hundreds have grown to manhood and woman-
hood in the time. The question has often occurred, 'To what
agent can this peculiar condition be traced?' I have made
repeated experiments with ozone paper, and have never failed
to find that the paper would be soon decomposed, showing
that the atmosphere was heavily charged with this element,
which is now being so extensively used in lung and other
troubles."

Hoy. C.Ko. ^V, Bisncjp, M. D.. long a leading practitioner in
one of the lower counties of the Eastern Shore, informed the
writer that a case of consumption occurred some years ago in
the person of an old lady who resided in the town in w^hich
he practiced medicine, and "so rare and unusual was the dis-
ease in that locality that many persons visited the patient.

from mere curiosity, to see what thev had never before seen—
a case of consumption."

It would seem that the climate of this peninsular derives a
great deal of its value from its neutral properties; from its
being neither too hot nor too cold, and from its possessing
neither the irritating qualities of a drv climate nor the de-
pressing ones of an atmosphere surcharged with dampness.
The atmosphere of the Eastern Shore is comparativelv dry.
and there are no fogs or piercing winds of anv consequence.
As at Nice and other winter resorts in the so'uth of Europe,
winds from various quarters sometimes sweep over the penin-
sular with considerable vehemence: but they are always of
short duration, and never so severe as the mistral o^ Southern
France or Italy which sometimes lasts from three to nine days
and beneath which organized beings of anv class shrink in
dismay. Excessively cold winds are rarelv felt on the penin-
sular, the westerly currents of cold winds from the Blue Ridge
mountains being considerably modified bypassing over the
waters of Chesapeake Bay. The warm w'inds coming from
the Gulf Stream, only about fifty miles distant, find nuinter-
rupted admission and exert a pefiuanent and highly beneficial
influence, which cannot be overestimated, inasmuch as they
serve to dry the soil and constantly bring fresh supplies of
pure air, which serves to maintain the atmosphere in a health-
ful condition. The average number of rainy days on the
Eastern Shore is s^. and the average annual ranifaU, south of
39'^ north latitude, is 34.25 inches.

In estimating climates according to their huniiditv,Viveuot,
a German hydrologist. adopts the following classification:

T. Dry climate, 'f ' * K-^cessiyely dry,
■' (bi / Moderately dry.

1-55% I. Relative
56-70% \ humidity.
■ Moist climate '-i' ) ^'oclerately moist, 71-85% j Relative

'h) \ Excessively moist, S6-ioo% ) humidity.

THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND AS A HEALTH RESORT FOR CONSUMPTIVES.

The tneaii "relative hitmulity' of the Hastern Shore, rcprc-
seiititiK the amount of water contained in the air at a jjiven
temperature, hcinjj about s^i, it ranks as a "moderately tlry"
climate, and this is corr(ji)orated by otlier tests Iron does
not rust easily and clothes dry rapidly in the open air. I.ucifer
matches do not readily become soft and useless, and wearing;
apparel rarely l)ecomes limp under the influence of the ordi-
nary- atmosphere.

There can be no doubt that the waters of Chesapeake and
Delaware bays, which flank the peninsular on the west and
east respectively. an<l the .\tlanlic ocean lying to the south of
it, exercise considerable influence on its temperature. These
circumstances, coupled with the peculiar course of the Gulf
Stream, and its near approach (s*^ milest to the coast line of
Maryland, may be attributed the comparative miUluess of the
winters of the Ivastern Shore, as compared with localities in
the same latitude. In this connection, it should be remem-
bered that in chronic diseases of the chest, it is the great heat
producing organ that is iuvolve<l, and that in measuring the
amount of heal required in a given case, due allowance must
be made for the deficiency, and no jireconceived ideas con-
cerning the asthenic nature of the disease should be permitted
to seduce us into sentling a poor exhausted invalid to freeze
amid the snows of Minnesota or Colorado, or to swelter in the
almost tropical climate of Florida,

Formerly the water supply of the peninsular was drawn
almost entirely from shallow wells, and the water was neces-
sarily of an inferior (pialily. containing, in many instances

no doubt the malarial bacilli of Tommasi Crudelli. Hut of
late years this trouble for the most part has I)een overcome liy
the sinking of artesian welts, which afford an abundance of
pure and healthful water and, as a result, whole towns and
districts where malaria used to manifest itself are now free
from attack. In addition to the direct evidence as the hy-
gienic importance of pure water, there is a large amount of
indirect evidence leading to the conclusion that most of the
malaria that formerly existed among families on the Kastern
Shore of Mar>land was the tlirecl result of using impure water.
Certain it is. the locality is now comparatively free from mal-
aria, and is, on the whole, a healthy place of fesidetice.

With respect to the permanent residence of individuals, the
Kastern Shore of Maryland offers many advantages. Land is
cheap, easily cultivated and very productive; and. willi all.
there is a ready market in either Philadelphia. Baltimore or
Washington City for everything raised. The principal induce-
ment for families to prefer a residence on the Eastern Shore,
above most other places, are economy of living, proximity to
the larpe cities of the I*;ast. the comparative facilities for the
educating of children, and the easy, unrestrained and refined
tone of society. .\nd nowhere can one procure the luxuries
of life, such as fish, oysters, clams, crabs, terrapins, ducks,
fruits, melons, berries, etc.. at so low a rate as on the penin-
sular; while house-rent, the keep of carriages, horses, servants,
etc.. arc in many of the towns little more than half the
expense which they would be in other places.

. K AN IDEAL ORCHARD. ^ \ *

s^